Monday, November 19, 2012

India's financial capital Mumbai has been at a standstill for last three days since the announcement of death of Shiv Sena's terror leader Bal Thackeray. Mumbai roads are deserted, there is a threat of violence, shops are closed, no transportation and cable operators have blocked Indian entertainment channels. All the ceremonies, programs and cinema shows have also been cancelled and Indian traders are observing "Shradhanjali day" today to pay him tribute.

The roads to Matoshree in Bandra to Dadar in Central Mumbai were cleared off traffic. No taxis and autos plyed on the Mumbai roads. All educational institutes are closed including schools and colleges.

Citizens found it difficult to get milk and vegetables on Sunday. "We did not get milk this morning and even the vegetable market is shut. I have never come across such silence in the city in my life ever," said Rama Arolla (50), a housewife from BDD chawl in Worli area.

Even as people thronged to catch a glimpse of the Sena patriarch and pay homage to him, shops, restaurants, hotels, theatres, malls and other commercial establishments remained shut and private vehicles, taxis, autorickshaws remained off the roads. Medical shops in the city as well as in neighbouring Thane were also closed.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh has cancelled his daughter's wedding reception and leaves of all policemen have been cancelled.

Thousands of policemen were called up to maintain order on Sunday, the day of his funeral. They needn't have bothered, as the streets were deserted out of fear. Most residents chose to stay home rather than risk the wrath of Thackeray's supporters.

Bal Thackeray was popularly known as "Anti-Muslim" and "Anti Pakistan" and has been involved in killings of several Muslims in India. He also supported Modi during Gujrat Muslims massacre and during tore of Babri Mosque which killed thousands of Muslims.

Recently just before his death he has issued a statement calling for Hindu nationalists to do everything to stop Pakistan's cricket team tour of India. And not just Muslims but he also made the astonishing call to boycott Sikh businesses in Mumbai unless the city's Sikh leaders prevailed upon Sikh terrorists to give up violence.

He even punished cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar in 2009 for remarking that Mumbai belonged to the whole of India. His organization is also involved in attacking several television channels in Mumbai for not speaking up in his favor. But contrary to all his terrorizing activities, Indian government is paying tribute to Bal Thackeray and his funeral is attended by leading Bollywood celebrities such as Amitabh Bachan to renowned Indian politicians such as LK Advani and Sharad Powar. His body was wrapped in Indian flag and has been given honor by the government of India.